On the off-chance that David Singer might be Somebody who is Somebody I had a look in Wikipedia. The David Singers who made it into Wikipedia were a poker player, a writer of comic mags and a dead professor. Not our bloke, who is a hasbara advocate for the existentially doomed racist state of Israel. His effort in today's OLO is shrill even for him. He's fighting a losing battle.

Dear Critic,

The Americans could have added some fat to Israel, but their "favours" were not unconditional and I wonder whether on the overall balance, Israel gained or lost from its association with America.

At its inception, Israel was supported no less by the U.S.S.R and France - the Americans came later and that also caused Israel to be involved as proxies in their own wars, because it resulted with the Soviets arming and training Egypt and Syria.

Anyway, the sum you mentioned, $134,791,507,200 (is it Australian or American dollars?), cumulative over 69 years, is a drop in the ocean compared with Israel's GDP of $318.7 billion (U.S.D). The vast majority of current "donations", are not to help Israel, but rather to help the American arms industry by forcing Israel to purchase their inferior products rather than invest more in its own superior arms.

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Dear Ilmessaggio,

«All the politicians have to do is re introduce 'the red under the bed' routine and everyone falls into line with renewed flag waving patriotic fervour.»

What need have they for patriotism when they can simply put their hands in your pocket and take more taxes?

«The US citizen, as the Australian, is living under the delusion that their government can do no wrong which is borne by their selection of leaders.»

Why blame the helpless? The weakness is of arms, not of mind!
There is no such thing as "leaders", only politicians - and all we are allowed is to select which of them will hit us.

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Dear Julian,

«Not our bloke, who is a hasbara advocate for the existentially doomed racist state of Israel.»

I would presume that an hasbara bloke would advocate FOR Israel, not against it!

To Yuyutsu: Yep. Like I wrote.

#Alan B

You state:

"Surely, both sides have had enough, blinkered vision, bloodletting by now!? Which can only ever get worse and worse, unless finally resolved, however unpalatable!?

A permanent stalemate/impasse resolves nothing!"

A fair observation if correct - but consider these facts that render your observation totally false:

1. The Jews accepted - and the Arabs rejected - the division of Palestine in 1922 into 22% for the Jews and 78% for the Arabs.

2. The Jews accepted - and the Arabs rejected - the 1937 Peel Commission decision to partition Palestine between the Jews and Arabs.

3. The 78% of Palestine set aside for the Arabs in 1922 gained its independence in 1946 being named the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan - the first Arab state in Palestine in recorded history

4. The Jews accepted - and the Arabs rejected - the 1947 United Nations decision to create a Jewish State and a second Arab State in the remaining 22% of Palestine.

5. The Arabs did nothing to create a second Arab State in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem between 1948 and 1967 after having driven out all the Jews living there in 1948.

6. The Arabs were offered more than 90% of the West Bank and Gaza by Israel in 2000/1 and 2008 - and rejected those offers.

For your further information:

1. Israel's "manifestly illegal settlements" are manifestly legal under article 6 of the Mandate for Palestine and Article 80 of the UN Charter

2. You are clearly no friend of the Jews making highly offensive statements like these:

" What's next David? God gave you this land after forty years in the wilderness, just after the alleged exodus from Egypt? And that makes what Israel does now, right?

Just suppose emerging evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt, there was no such exodus?"

No one can make you like Jews or support their entitlement to reconstitute their National Home in their ancient historic and biblical land as legally sanctioned under the 1922 League of Nations Mandate for Palestine.

Just be honest and admit it.

Dear Julian,

The 1967 occupation is the worst thing that ever happened to Israel. The arrogance and militarism that it produced erodes Israel's society from within, introduces violence into all walks of life and destroys Israel's own spirit. Israel can only be healed by letting go of that cursed territory.

Those who advocate for Israel to keep holding that cursed territory, advocate AGAINST Israel, not for it.

Lord Balfour was a friend of Israel and of David who agrees that Zionism is of profounder import than 700,00 Arabs . People who question David are not friends. Poland was no friend of Adolf Hitler. The Arab borders reached southern France in the west, China in the east, Anatolia in the north, and the Sudan in the south . That's unfriendly too . David's friends will give it to Zion and Lord Balfour . Lord Balfour says Israel failing to live up to 1917 declaration that Israel is friendly for all Arab territory. This probably includes Britain which is legally Israel . David is friends with Britain and Israelia Australia.